Herbert Spencer

Our lives are universally shortened by our ignorance.

— Herbert Spencer

Whatever fosters militarism makes for barbarism; whatever fosters peace makes for civilization.

— Herbert Spencer

There is no origin for the idea of an afterlife, save the conclusion which the savage draws from the notion suggested by…

— Herbert Spencer

No place, no company, no age, no person is temptation-free; let no man boast that he was never tempted, let him not…

— Herbert Spencer

We too often forget that not only is there 'a soul of goodness in things evil,' but very generally also, a soul…

— Herbert Spencer

Morality knows nothing of geographical boundaries, or distinctions of race.

— Herbert Spencer

The present relationship existing between husband and wife, where one claims a command over the actions of the other, is nothing more…

— Herbert Spencer

The Republican form of government is the highest form of government: but because of this it requires the highest type of human…

— Herbert Spencer

No philosopher's stone of a constitution can produce golden conduct from leaden instincts.

— Herbert Spencer

For what is meant by saying that a government ought to educate the people? Why should they be educated? What is the…

— Herbert Spencer

Strong as it looks at the outset, State-agency perpetually disappoints every one. Puny as are its first stages, private efforts daily achieve…

— Herbert Spencer

I emphasize the reply that the liberty which a citizen enjoys is to be measured, not by the nature of the governmental…

— Herbert Spencer

The idea of disembodied spirits is wholly unsupported by evidence, and I cannot accept it.

— Herbert Spencer

Mental power cannot be got from ill-fed brains.

— Herbert Spencer

Education has for its object the formation of character.

— Herbert Spencer

The chief arguments that are urged against an established religion, may be used with equal force against an established charity. The dissenter…

— Herbert Spencer

Religion is the recognition that all things are manifestations of a Power which transcends our knowledge.

— Herbert Spencer

Sundry manifestations of nature in men and women, are greatly perverted by existing social conventions upheld by both. There are feelings which,…

— Herbert Spencer

Time: That which man is always trying to kill, but which ends in killing him

— Herbert Spencer

If there be an order in which the human race has mastered its various kinds of knowledge, there will arise in every…

— Herbert Spencer

People ... become so preoccupied with the means by which an end is achieved, as eventually to mistake it for the end.…

— Herbert Spencer

With a higher moral nature will come a restriction on the multiplication of the inferior.

— Herbert Spencer

A nation's institutions and beliefs are determined by it's character.

— Herbert Spencer

Aggression which is flagitious when committed by one, is not sanctioned when committed by a host.

— Herbert Spencer

The existence of a first cause of the universe is a necessity of thought ... Amid the mysteries which become more mysterious…

— Herbert Spencer